10 SEPTEMBER 1898, Page 17

THROUGH UNKNOWN TIBET.

pro THE EDITOR OF THE "SPECTATOR."] SIR,—In the Spectator of June /8th you are good enough to insert a review on my book, "Through Unknown Tibet." In this review fault is found with the author's narrative with regard to the inexplicit way in which it deals with the treat- ment of the native followers. I now enclose a cutting from the Pioneer of August 2nd which will perhaps make this clearer. Please do not think that I wish to find fault with the reviewer, but rather with myself for not having had the means in my power before of proving that kind treatment had been used towards the followers throughout the journey. I trust the Pioneer of August 2nd will remove any idea that might have been entertained of Mr. Malcolm or myself treating our followers with inhumanity. At the same time I apologise for troubling yon.—I am, Sir, &c., M. S. WELLBY,

Lucknow, August Mk Captain, 18th Hussars.

[The cutting from the Pioneer which Captain Wellby en- closes reports the safe arrival of the six mutinous muleteers at Leh, and contains a statement from the mother of one of them to the effect that they had been uniformly treated with the greatest kindness by Captain Wellby, and that it was entirely their own fault that they had been abandoned. They also admitted that "they used to eat three days' rations in one day, thus bringing the provisions to an end." We may add that we never intended to convey any censure on the gallant officers who organised the expedition. Inhumanity is not a defect which we should ever expect to find associated with British officers.—En. Spectator.]